JERUSALEM: June 11, 2009 Services of the Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission

On June 7, 2009, the Sunday of Pentecost, the Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Joasaph (MacLellan), celebrated Divine Liturgy and Great Vespers at the Cathedral of the Ascension of the Lord at the Mount of Olives Convent.

On June 8, the Day of the Holy Spirit, Fr Joasaph participated in a festive service celebrated by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine at the Russian Church’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Primate of the Jerusalem Patriarchate was joined by His Eminence Archbishop Methodius of Thabor; His Eminence Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia; Fr Joasaph; Archimandrite Isidor (Minaev), Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission of the Moscow Patriarchate, members of the REM; monks from the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher and clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church visiting on a pilgrimage. Also praying at the service were His Eminence Archbishop Theophylact of Jordan; Abbess Georgia of Gorny Convent; Abbess Moisseia of the Mount of Olives’ Convent of the Ascension; Abbess Elizabeth of Gethsemane Convent, along with their nuns, and also the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Israel of the Russian P.V. Stegny.

In his sermon, His Beatitude said: “The phenomenon of the descent of the Holy Fire here in the Holy City of Jerusalem has great meaning not only in that the Holy Spirit guided the Apostles towards all truth, but this has great significance for the Church itself, because the All-Holy Spirit created it, He maintains and preserves It.” “For each member of the Church,” said the Patriarch, “the All-Holy Spirit is the One Who sealed the Divine gifts granted in the Mystery of Baptism. And through the Spirit we commune of the Body and Blood of our Master, Christ.”

On the third day of Pentecost, Fr Joasaph and Fr Isidor celebrated Divine Liturgy in Hebron.